I answered the question last year from the daily writing prompt – How would you design the city of the future? – with this post called CITY.

I was looking at a city I love in Maryland called Ocean City. From a webcam shot just after sunrise I see the recovery from the effects of hurricane Erin under way at the same time it appears to be Jeep Week, and they are awaiting the ride in the sand.

It kind of reminds me of the ebb and flow of cities. Always being tested. Infrastructure, policing, government, development, services. And of course, the people that make it up. Like a lot of beach towns, the ebb and flow of people is as dramatic as the sea.

Just under 7000 people live there. Yet in the summers it gets to 300-350 thousand people. How do you design a city for such swings, keep its natural beauty and serve all those people. And how do you sustain it when they are gone?

Cities adapt like people do. They also age, not as fast as people but they age and, in some cases, die off. So many factors determine a city’s success or failure.

Personally, I’m not sure I’d design a city. And if I did it would be more spread out like one, I live near called Columbia Maryland.

I’m more into small towns myself.

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What cities do you want to visit? – Great question from the daily writing prompt for this retired guy.

We are going to start with our own country first because we haven’t begun to explore its wonders. We are going to check out New York City next year. I must see the 9/11 Memorial and many other spots. I have some photos like the one below that my parents took many decades ago so I might try the same spots.

Notice there’s no fully grown trees behind her as there are today.

We’re going to Washington DC a few times this coming year also because we haven’t done some of the new museum’s and some of the renovated ones. Plus, all the monuments on a warm summer day are a great way to get some exercise.

Key West is on the agenda along with Charleston and Savanah for some southern hospitality. Maybe Cleveland to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and swing by Canton on the way back for the NFL Hall of Fame.

Portland and San Francisco have always interested me. And a couple of good friends told me Boston should be on the list so we might venture there someday.

I’m sure my better half has some we will be putting on the above list also. Plus I’m looking forward to a number of smaller towns in between these.

Wherever our journeys take us you will probably see the results here.

Other responses found here

How would you design the city of the future? – The Daily Writing prompt expects architectural advice this morning.

Not enough time to do a good job with that question. Or is it the lack of interest in the question? Pick either one. I would put a building height restriction like they have in DC.

I will say I used to shy away from big cities. But I’ve found some interest in them in recent years. A recent trip to NYC has me wanting to return to see some more of it. But I’ll stick with the country living.

Glenn Frey says “You belong to the City” but I disagree. Foghat says I might be a “Fool for the City” and who knows, maybe I am. The Scorpions are into “Big City Nights” and who can argue with that? I think David Bowie had my commute in and out of Washington DC in mind when he coined “Suffragette City.” When I head to the ocean I put in a little Guns and Roses “Paradise City” as I roll into town. The Eagles want you “In the City” but I’ll just say, it’s a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there.

No offense to those that do. I’m just used to space. Have a good morning all.